Douglas County District Judge Paula Martin ordered a 31-year-old man to stand trial on charges of attempted rape and criminal restraint in connection with an alleged incident Aug. 20 at a central Lawrence apartment.

The victim testified Monday during a preliminary hearing that she met the suspect at a downtown Lawrence bar on the evening of Aug. 19. At the bar, the suspect approached the woman several times asking her to dance, but she declined. When the bar closed, the woman left with two other men. The suspect, who was a friend of the other two men, joined them.

The group of four then went to a central Lawrence apartment, where the woman had sexual intercourse with one of the men — not the suspect — in a bedroom, according to the woman’s testimony.

That man left the bedroom, and the suspect attacked the woman in the bedroom, choking her and attempting to take off her clothes. The woman resisted and was eventually able to get free and leave the apartment, according to her testimony. Police were called, and the suspect fled.

The woman later identified her attacker during a police interview and photo lineup.

A trial in the case is set for Jan. 22.

The suspect, who is an undocumented immigrant, is being held on a $100,000 bond. He could face up to 20 years in prison on the charges.

The Journal-World generally does not name suspects in sex crimes unless they’re convicted.